Occurrence of earthworms in relation to soil TC,TOC,TIC in Benghazi, Libya

Abstract

Benghazi city is the second biggest city in Libya and getting bigger promptly. The city surrounded by farms. However, urban invasion has decreased the agriculture area a lot. In this study, survey on earthworm and TOC around the city has been done. Existing of earthworm is highly related to TOC around the city. Earthworm around the city were in Bouatni ≥ Jarotha≥ El-Guarsha≥Hawari soil. The study show decline in the species in Hawari area. Four species of earthworm were identified around Benghazi city. These were Aporrectodeatrapezoides, Aporrectodearosea, Eiseniaandrei, and Microsolexdubius. A. trapezoids formed the dominant and most widespread species of Benghazi.E. Andrei was new record in the area. This can lead to using earthworms as bioindicators, which appears to be a useful way to classify soil quality. Harsh environmental conditions and low organic matter may not only limit reproduction but the survival of adult earthworms from year to year.